ClubCoastalEastbourne, East SussexSovereign Harbour and English Channel
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club
Beginner
Start
Can a beginner start here?
Yacht sailing, Yacht racing, Cruising, Club yacht sailing, Boat-related training, Social sailing
Beginner
Beginners can get on the water through the club yacht, Jebbs. The club says no previous experience is required for its club-yacht sailing sessions, and experienced skippers and mates take groups out. This is a practical beginner route rather than a confirmed formal learn-to-sail course.
Training
The club states that it offers sailing and boat-related training courses for members, and the Jebbs programme includes free shore-based introductory sessions covering what to expect, clothing, safety procedures, parts of a boat, and questions before first sailing. I did not find a current official page confirming beginner RYA courses run by SHYC.
Sovereign Harbour Yacht Club is an Eastbourne marina-based yacht club with racing, cruising, boat-related training and an accessible club-yacht programme.
The clearest current taster route is the Jebbs club-yacht session: members and non-members can book places, no previous experience is required, and sessions are run by approved club skippers and mates. The club also advertises free shore-based introductory sessions in 2026 for people starting to sail on Jebbs.
Jebbs sailing sessions are open to adults and children aged 12 or older. Under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, and the FAQ says young people aged 12 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is a member or temporary member. I did not find a separate junior sailing programme.
Access
The membership page says the clubhouse has disabled access with its own lift. I did not find detailed access information for pontoons, boarding Jebbs, adapted sailing, toilets, or specific access needs, so visitors with access requirements should contact the club before visiting or booking.
Costs
Costs, membership, and boats
Prices
Membership fees from 1 July 2025 are listed as GBP 110 per person per year for full members and GBP 108 per person per year for social members. Jebbs club sessions are listed as GBP 22, with non-members also needing GBP 6 temporary membership. Approved member-skipper whole-yacht hire is listed as GBP 75 for a half day and GBP 120 for a whole day, with GBP 6 temporary membership for non-members where applicable.
Official membership page states members do not need to own a boat, lists yacht racing/cruising, boat-related training and a try-sailing day for members.
The club owns a Bavaria 34 yacht called Jebbs. It is available for members and non-members on club sessions with approved skippers and mates, and approved member skippers can hire the whole yacht for private member-skipper sessions. Non-members can join club sessions but must pay temporary membership for insurance and regulatory reasons.
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